Lent 2012

Lent 2012

As we begin the Season of Lent today, I would like to take the opportunity to share some thoughts about this reflective season and how it can enhance our journey as Benedictines.  I will tell you up front that the approach is rather unorthodox but one that I believe will lead us to a greater sensitivity to God’s presence in our daily life.

During Lent most of us participate in the usual life survey making note of all of the bad things we have done and how we are miserable people unworthy of God’s love.  We make promises to better ourselves showing our conviction for repentance through prayer, fasting and “giving up things.”  While these are not necessarily bad in and of themselves, doing only those things will generally lead to failure and a stronger sense of guilt.  So I propose that we put aside these practices of a well indoctrinated Christian and move toward the spiritual sense of the season; connecting with God through each other and our surroundings.

Many who embrace monastic spirituality have the mistaken sense that to live in communion with God and others we must shut ourselves away.  When we disconnect ourselves with the world we become rambling automatons who go through life in a constant state of “seeking”.  However, that which we seek is right in front of us each and every day.  God is present to us in our homes, our work, our community and nature.  So we “seek” at the same time we stumble over the very thing we are chasing.   So why can’t we see it, especially when we are so focused on the season of discernment?

Some of the practices I mentioned earlier of prayer, fasting and such become a distraction.  We become so involved in doing the deed that we miss the opportunity to experience.  We try to obtain perfection through practices, yet I propose that God is not looking for perfect subjects, but those who will participate in being perfected.  Only God can do this through an intimate experience.  The experience of God in and through our present situation is where we begin the process of being perfected.  Those daily experiences are of such beauty that we should not miss one single opportunity.  So what then shall we do?

First, if you want to give up something for lent, give up empty practices.  Next, take every opportunity to find the Divine presence in every person or place you find yourself.  (If you can’t seem to find the Divine presence where you are, look no further until you find it!)  Lastly, embrace the Rule for what it is; a journey for becoming perfected.   Practice humility, love and charity in all things as Benedict prescribed.  In essence, it is the process of becoming saintly.  Just remember, the saints did not become saints because they did extraordinary or miraculous things.  Rather, they did ordinary things very well.

If we can accomplish this with sincerity, then I believe that this Lent will be one of enormous growth for all of us.

Abbot Terry